Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WRATH, n. Also Sc.. forms wraith (Ags. a.1823 G. Beattie Poems (1883) 67; Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 40, Kcb. 1898 T. Murray Frae the Heather 63), wreth (Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 77; Sh. 1897 Shetland News (5 June), Sh. 1974), wraeth (Sh. 1898 Shetland News (15 Oct.)); ‡ne.Sc. vrath (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 204; Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 76; Abd. 1882 W. Forsyth Writings 8), vrath (Bch. (coast) 1910). Hence wrath-like, imposed by God's wrath, as a penalty for back-sliding, signifying Divine displeasure. Cf. judgement-like s.v. Judgement; wrathsome, angry, irate.Sc. 1718 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) II. 356:
The extraordinary stirrings of the Jacobites and their elevation, especially since our wrath-like divisions at court.Ayr. a.1878 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 192:
Jeanie, dinless as a ghaist, Slipt up an' wrathsome Willy fac'd.